Jerusalem artichokes / “sunchokes” for the bees (and me)

Jerusalem artichoke / Sunchoke tubers

It all started two seasons ago with one quarter-sized piece of sunchoke tuber planted in my dad’s little backyard in the city. That little tuber grew into a 15ft tall, 10ft wide plant with hundreds of yellow flowers covered in bees. I uprooted it at the end of the season and my jaw dropped at the sight of over 100 tubers much larger than the one I originally planted. After giving most of them away, I was left with about thirty tubers that I planted on my beeyard this spring, out in the country. I’m very glad I did, because they bloomed during a dearth here and provided tons of pollen for my bees.

My only problem now is what to do with literally thousands of tubers that will each produce a monstrous plant if not thinned out before spring. Good news: they’re edible! And as it turns out: they’re delicious! I’ve heard alot of stories about how they cause all kinds of intestinal discomfort when eaten, but I found those stories highly exaggerated. I roasted them with just salt, pepper, and olive oil, and they were great. I wish I had made more.

Below is a picture of a patch I planted along the road. Heavy winds knocked them over but they still thrived and flowered like crazy.

If anyone is interested in some tubers, let me know. $5 per pound + shipping. Next fall, you will have tubers coming out of your ears too.

Praying mantis eating a bee

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Author: brucelovesbees

I keep honey bees in Reading, Bernville, and Fleetwood, PA without treatments. I love to garden and observe Wasps, Bumble bees, and ants. I also raise mealworms for my Eastern Spotted turtle and myself.
View all posts by brucelovesbees

I just love your posts. This one is really intriguing because the plant is beneficial for the bees, birds, goats, and humans on our woodland mini farm. A multi functional plant would be a welcome thing. We are in Leesport between 183 and 61. I work for both major hospitals all over @ their satellites. Perhaps we can cross paths at some point to hand off some chokes?

They can be pulled up anytime after they mature in the first season, so about October I pull some up. Then, I pull them up as needed throughout the winter. As long as the ground isn’t frozen, they come up very easily. Easier and cleaner than potatoes. I just leave a small piece behind in each spot for the next season’s plant. They produce so well, they are hard to keep up with. Probably going to give a bunch to people with livestock.